And this is the last time I will mention this, I promise.
Today, a Shetland geologist visited the field. We had talked yesterday and, based on my photos, he was interested in the blackened rock and the whole situation.
It turns out the the rock was probably from the burn (stream) that passes through the field and, upon further inspection, there are a good pile of black rocks there but how they got to the middle of the field is anyone’s guess but they had been there a while. Probably random children who like to play in the burn.
This also might be a Bronze Age burnt mound but it is on the Maybe List.
The geologist also told me about the effects of lightning which he had seen involving poles and wires like what we have in the field. In his opinion, there had been lightning and we could put this down as “just one of those things” with the ponies being incredibly lucky. We all agreed on this.
Afterwards, I popped down two fields to check on the Lucky Ones.
As usual the herd was completely oblivious to their near-miss but they were very pleased to see me and my bag of carrots.
(Doesn’t Sóley look just like her brother, Hjalti? – peas from the same pod).
Lilja remains ever the Big Sister.
I kissed all the noseys, stuffed carrots into the mouthses and told them we all loved them and they were very, very lucky. Tiddles replied a carrot would make him feel just that bit more special!
And that is the last of it. No foot rot, no disease, just the Gods deciding they didn’t want to have two Icelandic horses and eight Shetland ponies going to Valhalla that day.
I think they made the right choice.
It could have been a horrid disaster. I’ve heard of herds of cattle being hit like that and the rancher finding them. Too awful to think about. So very happy they are all well. You did a great job of checking out EVERYTHING. I’m guessing your next lightening storm will be a bit unnerving, but considering how many they have been through, probably not a huge concern.
Wow! Finding a geologist to answer questions is fanscinating. You may be right about the Gods and space in Valhalla. Good thing because I do want to fly across the pond to see these Minions some day. Love the Nosey pictures.
Just as well to check out all possible scenarios. Hugely relieved they are none the worse.
Lovely photo of Silver, probably my favourite Minion.
Really appreciate the follow up on the horses foot issue. My wife and I are both interested in learning what it is after all of the things it is not!
How neat that a geologist would come out and give you an “expert” opinion. Bet he was baffled by the mystery hooves too.
So glad that God knew the horses were happier and better off (for now) where they are.
BUT as we say out here “they dodged a bullet” . Very lucky equines , indeed.
My husband said sometimes you can find “stakes” in the ground where there has been a strike, and the silica is melted.
Just a thought while studying the face in the mirror this morning…..
To me, lightening implies ‘closely followed by thunder’… A lightening strike of a magnitude to cause the pictured results, would, to me, have resulted in a clap of thunder loud enough to have caused one or more individuals to sit up violently and take notice….. But I’ve not seen any mention of this in any of the series of posts…??? Just wondering… How far is the field from your Croft and/or neighboring dwellings??
7 miles. I could see lightning on my phone app at their area. I was also told by a friend who lives there. She was warning me in case it came over the hill to us. It didn’t. BeAnne hates thunder.
Thanks for the update on the geologist visit. The rocks were driving the scientist in me crazy So, so glad all are ok.
Thank God your ponies and horses were all safe in that very weird episode. May nothing like that ever happen again.
Thank you for the explanation! You never know, do you, what Mother Nature has planned. And YES, glad that Valhalla was too full to bring any ponies in.